https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 21:52:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2439569 Thu, 28 Jan 2016 08:56:59 +0000 nana87 2439569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lioneyes: ooh firehouse, that's a fun idea!</p> <p>@regberadaisy: oh I forgot to look for groupons, thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2439256 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:47:27 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2439256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I kinda wish J didn't have a winter birthday for this reason haha. He is late February.<br /> The first year we had a large party in the party room of a nature center (found it through the local parks/rec website). It was so perfect. We purchased the use of two rooms for a bigger party, but if we did it now, we could easily fit in just one room and it would be perfect and affordable. The parks/rec website has many options within 30 minutes of us that are very affordable.</p> <p>His second birthday was family only in our apartment.<br /> His third birthday we rented a space at one of those indoor playgrounds/gyms. It was totally chaotic because of course it was a Saturday afternoon and they don't (obviously) close the whole space for birthdays, and there were soooo many kids. It was overwhelming and I wouldn't do that with a toddler again (he was three).</p> <p>This year we are in a new apartment that has a party room. It's still small though, but it would fit our family and his cousins so we might do that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2439247 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:37:22 +0000 regberadaisy 2439247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We actually have the space but am throwing our soon to be 4 yo a venue party. It'll be her first friend party inviting friends from daycare. It will be at the zoo and with my initial budget we will probably break even or even save money having it at a venue versus at home!</p> <p>When it's at home we make and serve a ridiculous amount of food and beer. :P</p> <p>@nana87: I see discount party packages on Groupon all the time! And they also have 20-25% coupons often in local deals you can use to save extra as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2439246 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:35:07 +0000 lioneyes 2439246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>for LO's 1st bday, we planned to do it in the park across the street from our building...but torrential thunderstorms were predicted that day so we moved it into our apartment. It was tight but fun. Next year we will do it at a playspace or at the firehouse in our neighborhood. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2439226 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:55:33 +0000 nana87 2439226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: oooh I'd love it if you'd wall me info! we are in NYC! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2439209 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:28:24 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2439209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Birthdays age 1 &amp; 2 at home. Age 3- preschool "party" + small celebration at home with just family. Age 4- just family at home again because we were moving. This year the little guy will have a preschool party and my older one presumably will still be in school so we'll see if we do a school party or something at a park. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2439194 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:50:31 +0000 SweetiePie 2439194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you're in NYC too? We had our 1st bday at a play space. It was awesome, I can wall you info.<br /> I've been to many other parties that have been at arts and craft studios, gymnastics studio, children's museum, sports centers, and one in a buildings common room with a music performer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2439181 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:25:17 +0000 sometimesshesings 2439181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL has a big house with lots of outside space, so we host there. It's a 30-40 minute drive from our city, so not everyone can make it. But it's worked out pretty well for us. My MIL is helpful, but not the type to take over the planning, which I really appreciate! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438933 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:47:14 +0000 Raindrop 2438933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow after reading the first couple of comments I'm so glad I'm not alone!</p> <p>I totally made the mistake of having LOs first birthday at our small townhouse / condo. I felt it was a nightmare! People were running into each other... one person actually looked at something we put up on a wall that was kind of embarrassing (a bill). So I was like never again!</p> <p>We now always have it at a play gym/children's museum/other place you have to rent a room and/or party package. This gets pricey like 300+ dollars but I feel it's worth it not having to deal with people at my small home! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438926 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:41:56 +0000 autumnlove 2438926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had it at MIL's house </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438923 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:40:47 +0000 PawPrints 2438923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're probably going to do her first birthday party at a neighborhood brewery. (If that sounds odd to anybody, breweries in our neighborhood are very popular for people to bring babies/kids/dogs, it's very much a family scene). I'm thinking her second birthday might be at a neighborhood park with picnic tables, or if the weather is bad we could reserve a playroom at a local pizza/beer place that we love. That pizza place has toys and an enclosed area for kids to roam, so pretty ideal.</p> <p>I've also got my eye on a Lego cafe that opened recently, where adults can have a meal and a beer while keeping an eye on kids while they have access to a whole room full of Legos. But there is a day fee for that, so probably would wait until she's older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438921 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:37:04 +0000 Foodnerd81 2438921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Poor kid- we just haven't had parties for her! </p> <p>That's not entirely true- our families aren't local, so both summers we have traveled to visit my family (4 hours away) and they had a little family party for her there- not like decorations or anything but everyone got together and ate and had cake and she got presents. It's a treat enough to get everyone in one place. And on her actual bday usually my bil and his fiancée come over for dinner and cake. </p> <p>Hopefully by 3 we will be in a house, maybe! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438822 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:40:45 +0000 deerylou 2438822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a summer baby and live on the coast, so I feel we have an unfair advantage, in this department. Her first was held in her grandparents' big backyard, and her second was on the beach. We'll probably do a park, for her third. </p> <p>Otherwise, I've found that community spaces and libraries are decently priced. Other options seem very expensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438812 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:33:58 +0000 rachiecakes 2438812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've always done a play gym/Legoland/bowling, etc.. (Well, first birthday was at a restaurant because it was all adults)</p> <p>We have a tiny space. Plus we don't have guest parking and there's a street parking band November 1st through April 1st, DS's birthday is 12/17.<br /> Also, we're in Boston, so no park or outdoor parties for our kid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438801 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:26:24 +0000 Anagram 2438801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We actually haven't had local parties for LO1 yet, but most of our friends who have had parties have had it in a private room at local restaurants/bars or in the apartment building's common room (they can be rented for a fee). A few had the parties in their apartment. I expect as our kids get older, people will start moving parties to play spaces and parks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438798 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:25:24 +0000 birdofafeather 2438798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We rented a room (well 2 actually) at the community center for her first and then did a park for her 2nd. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438795 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:23:17 +0000 MaisyMay 2438795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use a room at our church. Since we are members, we get to rent it once a year for free. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438761 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:59:17 +0000 Kimberlybee 2438761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1st birthday- I rented a big room at a bounce house that also had a game room for bigger kids. Most of her cousins and our friends' kids are much older so it was fun for the bigger kids too. We had to order food there so it was super expensive.</p> <p>2nd birthday- 2 hours at Gymboree, we were able to bring food in. Only kids 5 and under were invited so it was much smaller than her first birthday but she loved it. Gymboree was her weekly hangout since she was 6 months old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438750 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:53:38 +0000 Trailmix 2438750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First year we had it at a restaurant (mostly adults, about 30 total). Second year we had it in Central Park (about 25 adults and 10 kids). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438735 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:45:57 +0000 Autumnmama79 2438735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: We've hosted at a gymnastics gym, an ice rink, a kids art studio and a ceramic studio. </p> <p>Its always more $$ than doing it at home but less work and guaranteed all the kids have an awesome time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438722 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:39:44 +0000 avivoca 2438722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: Her birthday is in early October. We could have a party on her actual birthday this year, but I'll be at least 1 week pp so that's a no-go. Last year, we had it two weeks early in September because the weather is usually better and I think we will do that again this time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438717 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:37:52 +0000 KT326 2438717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This year we are inviting daycare friends so we are going to have it at a park and rent a bounce house. That is the plan anyway. His birthday is at the end of March so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good weather. If it rains I'll have a backup plan just in case, I just don't know what that is yet!</p> <p>For birthdays 1-3 we just had them at our house and it was mostly our friends and some family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438692 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:20:19 +0000 mrsjazz 2438692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1st and 3rd birthdays we rented out space. 2nd birthday we had at home just for family. Trying to figure out this year since it's her first year having school friends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438676 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:07:51 +0000 looch 2438676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, we technically have space, but I don't want to deal with set up and clean up, and we have a winter birthday, so we haven't had a kid party until now, at age 5 (it was offsite, at a party location).</p> <p>In the past, we've done family parties and I've sent cupcakes to school on his birthday and popped into the class to read a story. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438673 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:05:17 +0000 petunia354 2438673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: Yeah, we had 4 kids last month (DS has December bday) ranging in age from 3-9. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438645 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 10:52:27 +0000 psw27 2438645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: Ugh I know. It is soooo expensive for kids parties! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438635 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 10:47:43 +0000 nana87 2438635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: haha no worries! we went to a daycare party at a gym with a trampoline and lo loooooved it, so I definitely do want to do something, it's just so expensive! </p> <p>@Greentea: I really want to do our children's museum--we're members and lo LOVES it, but they don't offer discounts for members and the cheapest option is almost 1k :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438633 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 10:45:21 +0000 Greentea 2438633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will probably rent a park or do the children's museum! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438631 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 10:44:04 +0000 psw27 2438631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: you should totally do something! I think birthday parties are fun, sorry I didn't mean to be a downer haha. If I were having it, I would probably have it a trampoline place or indoor kids gym! My LO likes to run and jump and play so I would pick somewhere he can go wild. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/urbanapartmentsmall-space-parents-where-do-you-host-parties-for-lo#post-2438625 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 10:41:37 +0000 nana87 2438625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just changed the voting to enable multiple options, since duh multiple years of parties! ;)</p> <p>thanks everyone! these are great ideas!</p> <p>@avivoca: what month is lo's birthday? Outdoors seems like a much better/economical option, and we're near great playgrounds, but I worry about having a rain location since her bday is early April...</p> <p>@hilsy85: yeah last year we had about 4 other kids of our friends and that was prob the most we could fit. we could just not invite lo's daycare friends and keep the kid numbers down....</p> <p>@petunia354: have you invited multiple kiddos?</p> <p>@psw27: my brother has 3 kids and they traditionally have skipped the 2nd bday because it's not as big of a milestone as 1 and the kid isn't as aware of it at 2 as they are later....but I do want to do something I think, though not including daycare kids would make it much smaller! </p>